67 of the
1,003 complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus are about the
electrical system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
82,500 miles.
ON 4/3/2015 MY MOTHER IN LAW PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AFTER A 10 MILE TRIP TO TOWN. UPON PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE IMMEDIATELY, AT FIRST SHE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING (WHITE SMOKE) THEN REALIZED THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY ON FIRE (BLACK SMOKE). SHE HAD TO BE HELPED BY AN IDAHO POWER EMPLOYEE WHO WAS DRIVING BY. A TOTAL OF TWO 15LB FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND GARDEN HOSE WERE USED TO KEEP THE FIRE AT BAY UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED FROM THE DASH PANEL FORWARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED AT THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX LOCATED BY THE MASTER CYLINDER ON THE FIREWALL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE CAUSE AS AN "ELECTRICAL FIRE", UP UNTIL THE FIRE THE CAR HAD NO KNOWN ELECTRICAL OR MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAD NO MODIFICATIONS AND WAS COMPLETELY STOCK. NO INSURANCE CLAIM WAS FILED AS I ONLY CARRIED LIABILITY COVERAGE ON THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10703759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cumberland, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY DOOR SWITCHES IN MY 97 FORD TAURUS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. I HAD ALL 4 REPLACED 3 YEARS AGO AND THEY KEEP LEAVING THE DOME LIGHT ON AGAIN. HAVING THE DOME LIGHT ON AT NIGHT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE. I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING OR HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #10275371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,500 milesBeaver DAM, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
EVERY TIME I PUT IT IN REVERSE, MY RADIO GOES OUT, MY PL, PS, AND PW STOP WORKING. IF I DRIVE LONGER THAN 5 - 10 MILES, THE LIGHTS AND ALL ELECTRICAL START BLINKING AND THE PS GOES ON AND OFF. I ALMOST HIT A CAR ALONG SIDE OF ME THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED, I ONLY DROVE IT OUT OF TOWN ONE TIME AFTER THAT, NOW I DON'T DRIVE IT OUT OF TOWN AT ALL. EVEN IN TOWN IF I'M DRIVING ALL OVER, IT DOES IT. I TRIED TALKING TO FORD CORP. AND THEY BLEW ME OFF, EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS. HELP!!
NHTSA complaint #10224712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sycamore, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MY CAR HAS A ELECTRICAL PROB OR SOMETHING IT MAKES MY STEERING HARD AND WON'T LET WINDOWS ROLL DOWN AND MAKES ALL LIGHTS IN FLASH. HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO SEVERAL GARAGES AND THEY CAN SEE WHAT'S WRONG. BUT DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I NEED HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT THIS IS SO I CAN GET IT FIXED!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10224132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesCaledonia, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENT FAILURE; FIRST BEGAN WHEN PLACING SHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE GEAR, THEN LATER OCCURRED ALSO IN FORWARD DRIVE GEARS. SUSPECT ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC PROBLEM SINCE RADIO SPEAKERS ALSO GO SILENT AND POWER WINDOWS DO NOT OPERATE WHEN THIS OCCURS. ALL OTHER FUSES WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER IS NOT YET CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10204505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,985 milesPlano, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE THE DATE BELOW BUT THIS TIME I DECIDED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AFTER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF WATER AND YOU TURN RIGHT, MY CAR TURNS OFF, THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN IT MAKES THIS SQUEALING NOISE. AND THEN IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP. I HAD THIS CHECKED OUT BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH MY FORD 97 TAURUS. I'VE DRIVEN THROUGH A LOT OF WATER GOING FORWARD IN THE CAR AND IT DOESN'T TURN OFF OR MAKE ANY NOISE, JUST WHEN TURNING RIGHT. I NEVER NOTICED IT WHEN TURNING LEFT.
NHTSA complaint #10151496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesPasadena, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
OVERHEAD DOME LIGHT SHORTED OUT, REPAIRED SHORT, $110.00. THREE MONTHS LATER THE ALARM SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, REPLACED ALARM SYSTEM WITH 2005, AND REPLACED COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10145971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,500 milesNEW Hartford, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT TURN OFF, THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AS IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED MORE THAN ONCE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10143260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesCanal Winchester, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT GEARS/STEER THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. *AK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INTERMITTENT, THE RADIO WOULD GO OFF WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE PROBLEM WOULD START WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF WITHOUT CAUSE. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10087207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMonmouth Junction, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO COME OUT OF THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10071844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesRoswell, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE CHECK ENGINE SOON HAD ALSO COME ON. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, BOTH AT DIFFERENT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10071708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSAN Francisco, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL DISPLAY THE "DOOR AJAR" WARNING ICON AND THE DOME LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXITING AND SECURING THE VEHICLE, THE DOME LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON FOR AN INDEFINATE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT CAN CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION FOR A WEEK-AT-A-TIME AND NOT HAVE A RECURRENCE FOR UP TO A MONTH. DEALER TOLD ME THAT UNLESS I COULD LOCALIZE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT BEGIN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10065867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
LTR FM M.L. MOODY (TX) RE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN A 1997 FORD TAURUS, REQUESTS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION . *MR THE RED LIGHT HAD COME ON THE DASH WHICH HAD INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE STEERING LOCKED UP FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MECHANICAL ERROR. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10052015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN A 1997 FORD TAURUS. REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. *PH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE RED LIGHT HAD COME ON THE DASH WHICH INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FOUR INCIDENTS OF STEERING LOCK UP. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10051638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesMoscow, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
HEADLIGHTS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING HEADLIGHT PLUG MELTS FROM OVERHEATING AND ELECTRICAL CONTACT IS LOST CAUSING LIGHTS TO GO OUT
NHTSA complaint #10039600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,340 milesGreencastle, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP WIRES ARCHED WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10040187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesAppleton, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHERS WERE INOPERATIVE. *AK THE DEALER FOUND BOTH FUSES PULLED AND FLASHERS DISCONNECTED. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10030188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesWatertown, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED THE WIRING HARNESS WAS ROUTED IN A WAY WERE IT CAUSED FRICTION AND WORE OUT THE INSTALLATION WHICH CAUSED THE WIRES TO BE EXPOSED.
NHTSA complaint #10018293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesCanada, 00
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLES INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DOOR AJAR CHIME CAME ON AND STAYED ON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesPlainfield, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, HI-LOW BEAMS AND RUNNING LIGHTS WORK! ALL PANEL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK. TURNING SIGNALS & EMERGENCY FLASHERS DO NOT WORK AT ALL! IT IS AS THOUGH THE WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN WERE DISCONNECTED FROM BOTH THE TURNING STICK (SWITCH) AND THE EMERGENCY SWITCH? CHECKED EVERY FUSE IN FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD AND THEY ALL LOOK OK. ASSUME NO BULB PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE WAS AND IS NO FAST BLINK... IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED DURING AN ALL DAY RAIN STORM...VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS CAME ABOUT BECAUSE I ASSUMED DIRECTIONAL WERE STILL WORKING DURING SEVERAL TURNS...THEN SOMEONE ALMOST HIT ME WHEN I WAS CHANGING LANES....I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A DUMB DRIVER TILL IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES....THEN I NOTICED NO TURN SIGNALS...VERY SCARY (VIN: [XXX])! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10013700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alma, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
RE: 1997 TAURUS 3.0 VULCAN - FROST PLUG CORROSION AND HEAD GASKET BLOWN!.
NHTSA complaint #767516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazel Crest, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER PUTTING KEYS INTO THE IGNITION TO START VEHICLE, KEYS GOT STUCK AS A RESULT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP. CONTACTED DEALER. HAD PART REPLACED DEALER UNABLE TO REMOVE KEYS.
NHTSA complaint #8017993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ballwin, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, RADIO AND WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, SOMETIMES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL GET TIGHT, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #785733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Villa Park, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT ENGAGE FROM PARK, FOUND A BROKEN SHIFT CONTROL CABLE, REPLACED. IGNITION KEY TURNS AND DOES NOT START CAR, PROBLEM IN STEERING COLUMN, RR STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACED LINK FROM IGNITION SWITCH TO LOCK CYLINDER.
NHTSA complaint #9006168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodhaven, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING LOST POWER STEERING. ONLY WARNING THAT WAS RECEIVED BY CONSUMER WAS A SHORT IN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #8004847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunderland, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH STARTER MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #8001064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ballwin, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, RADIO AND WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, SOMETIMES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL GET TIGHT, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #785733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
A/C COMPRESSOR SEIZED CAUSING DRIVEBELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF STEERING, ALTERNATOR, AND POWER BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #751813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Lafayette, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
INTERIOR MAP LIGHT IS ALSO THE DOME LIGHTS. CANNOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. WHEN THE DOOR SENSOR BREAKS THE SENSORS THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. THIS IS HAZARDOUS AT NIGHT SINCE THERE IS GLARE COMING OFF THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #750646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Palm Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.